Sheet-delivery mechanism.



PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903. R. T. JOHNSTON. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 7, 1900.

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PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903.

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SHEET DELIVERY MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1900.

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R. T. JOHNSTON. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY l, 1900.

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R. T. JOHNSTON. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1900.

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ma, 26 I PATBNTED MAiR. 3, 1903.

R. T. JOHNSTON,- SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1900.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT T. JOHNSTON, 'OF PLA-INFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THECAMPBELL PRINTING PRESS & MANUFACTURING 00., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SHEET-DELIVERY MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,893, dated March 3,1903.

Application filed July 7, 1900. Serial No. 22,866. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that 1, ROBERT T. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey,haveinvented a new and useful Sheet- Delivery Mechanisrmof which thefollowingis a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedsheet-delivery mechanism especially adapted for use in front of theimpression-cylinder of the ordinary printingpress to deliver the sheetsprinted side up and withoutcontact of the freshly-printed surfaces withany part. p

The invention consists in arranging a first set of instrumentalities, astapes, onto which the sheet passes, a second set of tapes inter meshingwith the first set, means for reciprocating this second set, and meansfor raising the second set under the first set to lift the sheet fromoff the first set, so that the second set can then carry the sheetforward and deliver the same.

The invention further consists of certain novel points of constructionhereinafter particularly pointed out, and referred to in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying five sheets of drawings, Figure l is aside elevation of an ordinary two-revolution cylinder printing-presswith the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan of the deliverymechanism with the framework of the machine omitted. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and6 are elevations illustrating the diiferent positions the parts assumein operation. Fig. 7 is a detail View, on an enlarged scale,illustrating the belt and controlling mechanism which actuates thesecond set of tapes; and Fig. 8 is a similar view illustrating amodified arrangement of belt which may be used if desired.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A designates the framing,B theimpression-cylinder, and O the feed-board, of an ordinary form ofprinting-press.

l0 designates a shaft journaled in the framing of the press, on whichshaft is mounted a set of tape-pulleys 11. 12 designates another shaft,which is journaled in the framing, on which is mounted a set oftape-pulleys 13.

Tapes D are arranged between the pulleys 11 and 13. These tapesconstitute what is hereinafter referred to as the first set of tapes.This set of tapes is driven in the usual manner by gearing from the gearcarried by the impression-cylinder, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig.1, so that the top surface thereof will move away from theimpression-cylinder at a speed substantially equal to the peripheralspeed of the impression-cylinder. A suitable carriage, made up of twolight frames E E, is arranged as shown. Each frame has a roll 14, whichruns on a track 15, and a'roll16, which runs on a track 1'7. The tracks17 17 are arranged on the sides of the delivery-table F. The tracks 1515 are pivoted, as at 18, to the framing A. l9 designates the cam-shaftof the machine, which is driven by the ordinary gearing to turncontinuously during the operation of the press, and if the press is ofthe ordinary two-revolution type the same is arranged to turn once foreach two revolutions of the impression-cylinder or once for eachcomplete forward and backward stroke of thebed. On this shaft isarranged a cam 20, adapted to strike on a roller 2l, mounted on apivoted lever 22, which connects by link 23 to an arm 24., mounted 'on ashaft 25, journaled in the framing. This shaft-25 carries arms 26, whichfit under each of the tracks 15, and by this mechanism the tracks, andthereby the carriage, will be raised, as hereinafter described. On theother end of the shaft 25 is mounted a crank-disk 27, which carries acrank-pin 28, which connects by pitman 29 to an arm or lever 30, mountedon a shaft 31, journaled in the framing. On this shaft 31 are arrangedarms 32, which connect by pitman 33 to the carriage-frames E E. By thisarrangement the carriage will .be reciprocated, as hereinafterdescribed.

Arranged in the carriage-frames E E is a shaft 34:, on which is arrangeda set of tapepulleys 35. In the forward end of the carriage-frames atape roller or pulley 36 is journaled. Arranged between the tape-pulleys35 and the tape-roller 36 is a set of tapes G, which is hereinaftertermed the second set of tapes. This second set of tapes G is arrangedto intermesh with the first set of tapes D, as shown in Fig. 2.

Arranged on the ends of the shaft 34 and the tape-roller 36 are pulleys37, between which pulleys are arranged strong leather or canvas belts3S. Either or both of these belts are controlled to properly actuate thesecond set of tapes. This can be done in either of two ways. In Fig. 7one of the belts 38 is shown as rigidly connected to a bearingpiece 39,which is free to move vertically in a suitable bracket 40, projecting upfrom the framing. The pulleys 37 for this belt 38 are loosely mounted onthe shaft 34 and the shaft of the tape-roller 36.

A ratchet-wheel 41 is arranged on the shaft 34. The pulley 37 on theshaft 34 carries a suitable spring-pressed pawl 42, which engages saidratchet-wheel 41. A pawl 43 may be arranged on the carriage-framing inthe position indicated to prevent the said pulley 37 from turningbackward. By this arrangement as the second se of tapes moves forwardthe same will nt run on the pulleys 35 and roller 36, as the pawl 42will turn around the ratchet-wheel 41 without affecting the same; but onthe backward stroke-that is,the stroke toward theimpression-cylinderbyreason of the fact that said belt 38 is held by the bearing-piece 39 thebelt will be actuated to turn the second set of tapes in such way thattheir top surfaces will remain stationary and their underneath surfaceswill run at double the speed of the movement toward theimpression-cylinder, whereby the tapes will withdraw from under thesheet to deliver the sheet or to allow it to settle down on thedelivery-table. The arrangement of the bearing-piece 39 so as to becapable of a vertical movement provides for the lost motion occasionedby the fact that the carriage is in an inclined position as the samemoves forward. This inclined position is desirable, as it keeps theair-pressure on top of the sheet during the forward movement of thecarriage.

A modified arrangement of the mechanism for operating the belt is shownin Fig. 8. In this modification the pulleys 37 are fixed on theirrespective shafts and the piece 39 is provided with a pivoted clutch 44,which carries a small steel spring 45, which is hit by the pulley 37 onthe shaft 34 as the carriage reaches the end of its forward movement tocause the clutch to grip the belt for the purpose of holding the same onthe backward movement of the carriage. As the carriage starts on itsforward movement from its extreme position nearest theimpression-cylinder the belt frees itself of the clutch. By thisarrangement the second set of tapes G will be properly actuated.

Shafts 46 are generally arranged in the carriage-frames E E, as shown inFig. l, to carry a set of guides 47 over the second set of tapes toprevent the sheet from curling up. This set of guides is omitted fromFig. 2 for the sake of clearness. The delivery-table F is pivoted, as at48, to the frame, and the same carries suitable struts 49 to hold thesame in raised position, as shown in Fig. 1 in dotted lines.

Suitable strippers H are arranged between the first set of tapes and theimpression-cylinder in the ordinary manner to direct the sheet from theimpression-cylinder down onto said set of tapes.

The operation may be clearly understood from the third and fourth sheetsof the drawings, in which a crank-arm is substituted for the crank-disk27 to more clearly show the various positions. In Fig. 3 the sheetS isshown as having passed down onto the first set of tapes and the secondset of tapes as having reached its extreme backward position. In Fig. 4the second set of tapes has been raised up above the surface of thefirst set of tapes to pick the sheet off from said first set of tapes,so thatthe same can be carried forward by the second set of tapes. Thecarriage then moves forward with the sheet on the second set of tapes,the second set of tapes remaining stationary in the carriage during thismovement. This will carry the sheet out over the delivery-board, asshown in Fig. 5. The carriage then retreats or moves backward, andduring this movement the belt or belts 38 and the ratchet-and-pawlmechanism will cause the second set of tapes to withdraw from under thesheet to allow the same to settle easily and nicely d wn upon thedelivery-table, as shown in Fi 6. At or just before the carriage reachesits extreme forward motion the tracks 15 are lowered, so that on thebackward movement the second set of tapes will pass under the surface ofthe first set of tapes to take the next sheet and deliver the same, asbefore described.

This constitutes a very simple and efiicient mechanism for the purposeof delivering sheets printed side up without contact of thefreshly-printed surfaces with any part. The device also does away withthe use of any grippers to take or control the sheet, the use of suchgrippers being objectionable, as the same mar or break the edges of thesheets.

It will be noted that the front end of the second set of tapes isentirely free and that there are no tracks or guides which interferewith the sides of the delivery-table. This allows slip-sheeting that is,the introduction of blank or blotter sheets between the printed sheetsas they are delivered on the delivery-table, which is sometimes done onvery nice work to prevent any smutting.

Another advantageous point of the construction is the pivoting of thedelivery-table in the manner shown, which allows it to be raised, sothat the inking apparatus, which is generally arranged under the saiddelivery-table, can be readily got at for adjustment and manipulation.As the deliverytable is raised about its pivots to assume the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 the carriage-frames E E will turn aboutthe rolls 14 14 to allow the movement thereof which is necessary. Thebracket 40 is slotted sufficiently to allow this movement. Thus as thedelivery-table is raised no part of the printedside-up delivery will bedisturbed or disconnected, and when the delivery-table is lowered againto its operative position the sheetdelivery mechanism is ready forimmediate operation.

The details and arrangements herein shown and described may be greatlyvaried by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of myinvention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is.

1. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism, of a set of deliveryinstrumentalities onto which the sheet passes, a set of tapesintermeshing therewith, means for reciprocating the set of tapes, andmeans for raising the set of tapes when under the deliveryinstrumentalities to lift the sheet off of the deliveryinstrumentalities, so that the set of tapes can then carry the sheetforward.

2. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism, of a set of deliveryinstrumentalities onto which the sheet first passes, a set of tapesintermeshing therewith, means for reciprocating the set of tapes, meansfor raising the same when under the delivery instrumentalities to liftthe sheet, so that the tapes can then carry the same forward, and meansfor controlling the set of tapes so that the same will deliver the sheeton the backward stroke.

3. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism of a first set of tapesonto which thesheet passes, a second set of tapes intermeshing with thefirst set, means for reciprocating the second set, and means for raisingthe second set when under the first set to lift the sheet off the firstset so that the second set can then carry the sheet forward.

4. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism, of a first set oftapes onto which the sheet passes, a second set of tapes intermeshingwith the first set, means for reciprocating the second set, means forraising the second set when under the first set to lift the sheet offthe first set, so that the second set can then carry the sheet forward,and means controlling the second set so that the same will withdraw fromunder the sheet on the backward stroke and deliver the same.

5. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism, of a first set oftapes onto which the sheet passes, a reciprocating carriage carrying asecond set of tapes intermeshing with the first set, and means forraising the carriage when the second set of tapes is under the firstset.

6. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism, of a first set oftapes onto which the sheet passes, a reciprocating carriage carrying asecond set of tapes intermeshing with the first set, pivoted tracks onwhich said carriage runs, and means for lifting said tracks when thesecond set of tapes is under the first set.

7. The combination in a sheet delivery mechanism, of a first set oftapes onto which the sheet passes, a reciprocating carriage carrying asecond set of tapes intermeshing with the first set, means for raisingthe second set of tapes when under the first set, a belt on said secondset of tapes, and means for holding said belt on the backward movementof the carriage.

8. The combination in a sheetdelivery mechanism, of a first set of tapesonto which the sheet passes, a reciprocating carriage carrying a secondset of tapes intermeshing with the first set, means for raising saidcarriage to an inclined position, a belt on said second set of tapes,and means for holding said belt as the carriage moves backward, saidmeans being adapted to move vertically to adjust itself to the inclinedposition of the carriage.

9. The combination in a printing-press, of the framing, animpression-cylinder journaled in the framing, a printed-side-up deliverymechanism arranged in front of the impression-cylinder, a delivery-tablepivoted to the framing of the machine, and tracks for the deliverymechanism arranged on said table, whereby both the table and tracks canbe raised to an inclined position.

10. The combination in a printing-press, of the framing, an impression-cylinder journaled in the framing, a printed-side-up reciprocatingsheet delivery mechanism arranged in front of the impression-cylinder, adeliverytable secured to the framing on which the sheets are delivered,and tracks for the reciprocating delivery mechanism arranged directly onthe delivery-table.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ROBERT T. JOHNSTON. Witnesses:

JOHN JOHNSTON, OHAs. W. SPRAGUE, Jr.

